Brief Program Description:
Visit three of the most vibrant and culturally important metropolises in China and come away with a remarkably comprehensive understanding of each city’s fascinating past and present. Your exploration of Beijing will focus on the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven with an enlightening walk along the top of the Great Wall. Browsing the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi’an will add another historical perspective, as will seeing the ancient city wall. In Shanghai, the Jade Buddha Temple and the Yu Yuan Gardens only touch upon the scheduled attractions.
DAY 1
After flying into Beijing, you will transfer from the airport to the China World Hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Check in is 2:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available upon your arrival, this cannot be guaranteed. If you are arriving very early in the morning, you may wish to purchase an additional night.
Overnight at the China World Hotel or similar.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Forbidden City, home to the emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties and a 250-acre complex of pavilions, halls, courtyards and gates showcasing some of the most important treasures of China’s imperial past.
You will enjoy a traditional Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant on your way to the Great Wall. There will also be an opportunity to shop after lunch.
The Great Wall is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and you will have a chance to walk on the wall at Juyongguan Pass and enjoy the surrounding views before heading back to your hotel.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Overnight at the China World Hotel or similar.
DAY 3
After an early breakfast in the hotel and check out, you will head for the Temple of Heaven. Initially built in 1420, this UNESCO World Heritage site is where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped heaven and prayed for a bumper harvest.
The main structure in the vast compound is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a magnificent triple-gabled circular building. Completely wooden and constructed without any nails, it is one of the architectural wonders of ancient China. The Temple of Heaven is also a public park where local people often begin their days with morning activities such as practicing tai chi, singing Peking opera or writing Chinese calligraphy.
You will then transfer to the airport for your flight to Xi’an with lunch served in-flight.
Upon arrival in Xi’an, you will transfer to Xi’an’s landmark city wall, the most complete ancient wall surviving in China. The first emperor of the Ming Dynasty created it by enlarging an existing one constructed during the Tang Dynasty. Stretching around the entire old city, the 8.5-mile-long wall boasts 98 ramparts, stands 40 feet tall and is 60 feet thick at its base.
Later in the afternoon, you will check into the Wyndham Grand Xi’an South Hotel, where you will spend the evening.
For dinner, you will enjoy a dumpling banquet at a nearby restaurant. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the Wyndham Grand Xian South Hotel or similar.
DAY 4
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will enjoy a picturesque drive to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, a repository for thousands of clay soldiers that were buried with China’s first emperor to accompany him in his eternal rest. Considered one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures, the 7,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses were buried for centuries until excavated in 1974.
The warriors are grouped in battle order, rank by rank, some mounted on horse-drawn chariots and others in infantry groups armed with spears, swords and crossbows. Each figure was individually created with unique characteristics.
After this exciting afternoon tour and lunch at a restaurant, you will transfer to the Xi’an Airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, you will transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the St. Regis Shanghai Jin'an Hotel or similar.
DAY 5
Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel by motor coach to the Jade Buddha Temple. While the original temple was destroyed during a revolution, the temple’s two precious statues of Buddha were saved. A new temple was built in 1928 to house the statues, one of a reclining Buddha on a redwood bed, the other of a sitting Buddha decorated with semi-precious stones. Both statues were carved in Burma out of white jade, a rare form of nephrite mineral known for its characteristic creamy texture. Besides displaying these spectacular works of art, the Jade Buddha Temple is an active monastery with dozens of resident monks.
Your next stop will be Shanghai’s intriguing Old Town, where you will meander the narrow streets, pass traditional shops and take in the cacophony of sounds and sights. Then, for a completely different experience, you will visit the nearby Yu Yuan Gardens, an oasis of tranquility that dates to the 16th-century Ming Dynasty. Highlights include intricate rockeries, dragon walls and beautiful pavilions.
After enjoying a Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant, you will re-board the motor coach for a scenic drive to the Lujiazui area of Pudong, a district devoted to farms and rice paddies little more than a decade ago and now the financial and business center of Shanghai.
You will pass numerous high-rises such as the futuristic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower, all of which stand out as the city’s tallest landmarks. After a photo opportunity at the foot of the TV Tower, you will proceed to the Jin Mao Building.
By express elevator, you will ascend to the Observation Lounge on the 88th floor for a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the city on both sides of the river.
The tour will conclude with a visit to an exhibition hall of Chinese silk products after which you will transfer to the pier to embark the cruise ship.
Land Program Step by Step
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space may be released.
Meet and Greet & Transfer Information
•Final cruise documents will be sent via email 21 days prior to departure. These documents will include the local ground operator’s contact number on page 1, which can be used if you’re unable to locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Please note that the representative may be assisting other guests and might not be immediately visible when you exit Customs, and the baggage claim area.
• Upon arrival, look for a representative holding a sign with the cruise line’s logo, and possibly your name. If you’re uncertain or unable to locate them, airport staff can assist by directing you to the designated meeting point for cruise transfers or by paging the representative.
• Meet and greeting services and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of the land program, or for those who have booked pre-cruise accommodations through the cruise line. These arrangements are based on flight details provided at least 14 days prior to sailing.
• Guests arriving independently or before the official start date of the land program will not have transfers included. If we have not received your flight information—or if your flight details change and the Destination Services Land Team has not been informed, a transfer cannot be guaranteed. In such cases, guests will need to arrange and cover their own transportation to the land program hotel.
• For any flight updates or changes, please contact our Reservations Department as soon as possible, prior to departure.
DAY 1
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
Arrive at the Beijing International Airport
After going through quarantine, immigration, luggage claim and Customs, you will meet our representative and transfer to the China World Hotel. Check-in at the hotel is 2pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the China World Hotel or similar
DAY 2
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
AM Buffet breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Depart for the Forbidden City
8:45am Visit to the Forbidden City
11:15am Depart for the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass
12:00pm Lunch at a restaurant en route
1:30pm Depart for the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass
2:15pm Visit the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass
4:45pm Depart from the Great Wall
6:30pm Arrive back at your hotel
Evening at leisure with meals on your own
Overnight at the China World Hotel or similar
DAY 3
Please note: Timings may vary depending on actual flight times
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
AM Buffet breakfast at the hotel
7:15am Depart for the Temple of Heaven
8:00am Visit the Temple of Heaven
9:15am Depart for the Beijing Airport
10:30am Arrival at the Beijing Airport
12:00pm Fly to Xi’an (Details TBA and subject to change)
2:15pm Land in Xi’an and transfer to the city wall
3:45pm Visit the City Wall
4:15pm Depart for the hotel
5:00pm Check in at the hotel
6:30pm Depart for a Dumpling Banquet
8:30pm Return to the hotel
Evening at leisure
Overnight at the Wyndham Grand Xian South Hotel or similar
DAY 4
Please note: Timings may vary depending on actual flight times
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
AM Buffet breakfast at the hotel and check out
7:45am Depart for the Terracotta Warriors Museum
9:00am Visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum
12:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant
1:00pm Transfer to the airport
2:30pm Arrival at the airport
4:00pm Fly to Shanghai (Details TBA and subject to change)
6:20pm Arrive in Shanghai
8:00pm Check in at your hotel
Evening at leisure and dinner on your own
Overnight at the St. Regis Shanghai Jin'an Hotel or similar
DAY 5
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
AM Buffet breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Depart for the Jade Buddha Temple
9:00am Visit the Jade Buddha Temple
9:45am Depart for Yu Garden
10:15am Visit Yu Garden and Old City area
11:45am Depart for lunch
12:15pm Lunch at a local restaurant
1:45pm Visit the Jin Mao Tower
3:00pm Visit a silk exhibition hall
4:00pm Embark the cruise ship
General Information
Electricity:
The electricity in China is generally 220V, 50HZ, AC. A transformer is necessary. Most of the hotels in China have both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in the bathrooms, though in the guest rooms usually only 220V sockets are available. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.
Expected Weather:
Beijing - It will be cool and could be windy. The average temperature reaches 11 °C (52 °F) during the day, and at night drops to -1 °C (30 °F).
Xi’an - March is the month when Xi’an steps into the spring season; however, sometimes there could be a light snowfall or a cold rain in early March which appears to bring Xian back to winter. The average high temperature is14 C / 57 F and the average low is 4 C / 39 F.
Shanghai – Sunny spring days are common in March, with occasionally some small rains. Average High Temperature: 15 C / 59 F, Average Low Temperature: 4 C / 39 F.
What to Bring:
An umbrella and comfortable walking shoes, light warm clothing and a windproof jacket. The attire is casual for the entire program.
Currency:
The Chinese Yuan, denoted by CNY, is the official currency in China. You can use US dollars, Euros and English pounds in hotels, in friendship stores, to buy items from vendors in scenic spots, to pay for optional tours and to tip hotel porters, tour guides and drivers or whomever you want to tip. You cannot use US dollars or other foreign currencies in department stores, small convenience stores, local restaurants or for items from some street vendors.
Luggage:
Each passenger flying coach class can enjoy free baggage allowance of one carry-on luggage, plus one check-in luggage. Carry-on luggage is not to exceed 55x40x20cm (22x16x8 in) in size and 5 kg (11 lbs) in weight; Check-in luggage is not to exceed 100x60x40cm (39x24x16 in) in size and 20kg (44lbs) in weight. These dimensions include wheels, handles and side pockets.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications, especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents must be sent to the Land Program Team via the Reservations Team at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator can be responsible for.
Please note: Some airlines may impose restrictions or specific requirements when transporting wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or other assistive devices. We recommend checking directly with your airline or the Cruise Line prior to departure to ensure compliance with their policies.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A Chinese Visa is required for this program as well as a valid passport with six months remaining until the expiration date is required for entry. Please contact your local embassy or consulate for the latest requirements and application procedures.
Vaccination & Health Regulations:
Guests are responsible for confirming up-to-date vaccination requirements directly with their local embassy or health authority. Please note that visa and vaccination costs are not included in the price of this program.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION NOTICE:
To ensure successful flight arrangements for this program, the name on your cruise booking, passport, and any required visas must match exactly. This includes first, middle, and last names, with identical spelling across all documents. Discrepancies may result in denial of boarding by the airline.
Cruise line-generated manifests must align precisely with your official travel documents.
Failure to present the correct documentation or inconsistencies in guests names may lead to denied travel or the need to re-purchase tickets at your own expense. Guests will be responsible for any additional costs incurred due to these discrepancies.
Hotel Address & Contact:
China World Hotel
1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing 100004, China
Telephone: +86-10-6505 2266
Wyndham Grand Xian South Hotel
208 Ci’en East Road, Qujiang New District, Xi'an, Shannxi, China
Telephone: +86-29-6821 9999
St. Regis Shanghai Jingan Hotel
1008 West Beijing Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China
Telephone: +86-21-6257 9999
Please Note: In the event of unforeseen circumstances, an alternative hotel may be arranged. Any substitute accommodation will match the original in both rating and quality. You will be informed of any changes prior to your departure. If no such notification is provided, your stay will proceed at the hotel specified in this program.
Program Includes:
?Economy-class air tickets Beijing to Xi’an to Shanghai
?Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast – Deluxe Room at China World Hotel in Beijing, Wyndham Grand Xian South Hotel in Xi’an, and St. Regis Shanghai Jingan Hotel in Shanghai or similar standard
?4 breakfasts, 3 lunches served at local restaurants (lunch includes a choice of a soft drink, local beer or local mineral water), 1 lunch served in-flight, and 1 special dumpling banquet in Xi’an
?All transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per program
?Compulsory passenger insurance
?QuietVox Audio System for a sightseeing group of more than 24 passengers. The system consists of a microphone for the guide and a radio receiver for each guest to enhance the experience and improve conditions in which guided tours are conducted.
Program Excludes:
?Any meals and drinks not specified above
?Chinese Visa
?Gratuities for drivers and guides
?Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Hints & Restrictions:
?Restrooms in China vary from having toilets to holes in the floor and their cleanliness standards are not always up to par with those of the western world. You will encounter both types of restroom facilities. It is advisable to have hand sanitizer and extra tissues /toilet paper at all times in case needed.
Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. This program is not recommended for guests who require the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooters. Guests with mobility concerns are advised to carefully assess their personal physical capabilities and stamina. Participants must be able to independently board and disembark from transportation, including motor coaches, and should be accompanied by an able-bodied companion if assistance is needed. Guests who choose to use independent transportation or wheelchair services provided by third-party companies may do so at their own risk and responsibility. We encourage guests to contact the cruise line in advance to discuss any specific mobility-related questions or concerns before booking this program. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Booking, Pricing & Cancelation:
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. No refunds or partial refunds will be issued for any unused portion of the program. This includes, but is not limited to, missed transfers, accommodations, guided tours, meals, or activities. All venues, hotel stays, tour guides, and logistical services are secured and pre-paid well in advance to ensure a seamless experience for all participants.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
